Shadows of the Damned has a lot going for it, and a few drawbacks as well, but the point to take away is that it's just a really fun game to play through.

I can still say without a doubt that I have enjoyed Morrowind better than the initial release of ESO. The world seems a bit more alive and explorable. There also seems to be more polished adventure/quests going on in the initial release of Morrowind, which tells me that ZeniMax has learned a few things from past ESO lessons. Despite my disdain for some of the boss fights that are incredibly difficult when going solo in the game, the overall package of Morrowind really does provide an upgrade to the ESO family in several areas. If you haven’t played ESO, but have enjoyed The Elder Scrolls series, then this might be the right time to jump in to see what it is about.

Akabaka made a fun dating simulator based on a crazy narrative with Sucker for Love: First Date. Much like in real life, as each date occurs the game gets better and better, but also like in real life, it is still flawed in some areas.

Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below is a huge step forward for Omega Force. This is the right formula for making future Dynasty Warrior-like games, as story, leveling structure and beautiful presentation form a perfect wrapper around typical/repetitive button mashing gameplay experience.

Kaze and the Wild Masks starts off as an innocent platformer from the 90s but goes from first to fifth gear quickly in difficulty. Ramping up to large amounts of difficulty and enjoying the scenery is what made platformers in the 90s good. With Kaze, the difficulty is such a dramatic shift that you’re stuck not having the ability to stop and smell the flowers that PixelHive has worked so hard to grow.

If you're looking for a strong follow-up from the Crysis 2 storyline then you're going to be heaven. Crytek brings a very powerful story that fits just right with the previous titles and compliments it with a fast-paced gameplay experience. Sure the campaign might last 6-8 hours, but you'll enjoy every minute of it.

Despite another year of development, EA FC 26 remains plagued by bugs. The main menu continues to give me issues. At times, I’m unable to navigate it at all because it simply bugs out. Considering how often this issue has been raised across multiple installments, it’s frustrating to see so little progress.

Blasphemous is a delightfully dark game with superb style. This Kickstarter success pairs magnificent world-building with clever combat mechanics. A player must have precision timing, as every hit point is vital. One wrong move could be a fatal error. This intense game feels very much like a 2D platforming version of games like Dark Souls or Bloodborne.

The Fabulous Fear Machine from developer Fictiorama Studios is a test of skill as much as it is a test of patience. It’s a complicated game that is RISK-like and presents a wickedly good time in classic horror comic book form.

If you’re new to fighting games or Naruto, this might not be the game for you. Being new to fighting games is already difficult as is, but then throw in a confusing story line and you might not be enjoying yourself. Start with the original game and work your way up. Jumping right in might not be the best idea. If you’re a Naruto fan or have played one of the previous games I would suggest picking this one up. Other than being short, this Naruto game follows suit with its predecessor and is sure to make any fan of the series very happy.

This game was so much fun to play. Something about being scared and literally running for your life makes for such a good game. With plot twists along the way that keep the story fresh there is no lack of entertainment within the game. Red Barrels really knows how to get under your skin. Play the game, you will understand. The dark undertones of the game set up the story throughout and constantly make you think wtf, yet you still want more. Buy Outlast 2, be scared, you won’t be disappointed.

Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus from developer Squid Shock Studios is a beautiful game that features all the right magical moves to make this a challenging precision platformer but stumbles badly with imprecise controls that make what would be a good experience frustrating.

Motorstorm Apocalypse delivers an exhilarating experience that you will want to visit again and again.

Fans might have preferred compilation of Sonic's 16-bit greatest hits, but a career-spanning retrospective is what ended up on the track list. And you know what? Against all odds, Sonic Generations feels adequate.

Gearbox did a fine job here and the new goodies and content are a huge plus. I do wish the other content from the Megaton Edition were here, but this is still a great addition to your digital library.

At its core, Scott Pilgrim is still just an upgraded version River City Ransom, but its polish and sense of style aims to keep players engaged, nostalgic, and smiling. Never trying to do more than it sets out to do, the game offers a fine balance of presentation and gameplay mechanics.

I have been, and continue to enjoy S:A enough that it’s hard to find much fault with it. That said, for some genre veterans looking for a stout challenge, the default difficult setting is likely much too easy. Additionally, some quest and puzzle design could be considered a bit repetetive, but for me, these concerns were greatly overshadowed by the positives of the experience.

Quantum Break is an enjoyable game with high replay value, but it underwhelms in several key areas.

World of Final Fantasy has some great gameplay design that honors the traditional turn-based role-playing game structure. The additional Pokemon elements of capturing and cultivating the mirages creates motivation to keep the ball rolling, even if you’re grinding out the gameplay a bit. The gameplay certainly isn’t perfect, as the younger audience that Tose and Square Enix are trying to reach rears its head in the gameplay structure once in awhile through the game's flow and simplicity, but World of Final Fantasy is diverse and deep enough to keep the excitement going from beginning to end. Just come prepared with a good GPU to push it on the PC.

The gameplay certainly isn’t perfect, as the younger audience Tose and Square Enix are trying to reach rears its head once in awhile through the gameplay’s flow and simplicity, but World of Final Fantasy is diverse and deep enough to keep the excitement going from beginning to end.

I do appreciate the Sega Ages titles right now, and look forward to more in the future. I also think that if they start creating more additional modes to these older titles, then the series will be an easy sell. Right now, the modes are decent, especially for younger gamers out there, so they add some value to the titles, but they need a bit more to them, though, to really sell everyone on them.

Madden NFL 26 from developer EA Tiburon is on the right track thanks to some nearly perfect controls that make for a more immersive experience. On the mode side, there is still some work that needs to be done to improve some aspects of Superstar, as well as balancing out MUT a bit more.

While Fae Tactics could get easily looked over and story progression feels slow at times, it is still a fun play for anyone. Combat progresses and becomes increasingly strategic, which can be frustrating at times but also engaging and slightly addicting. Leveling up and evolving characters are simple enough for anyone to understand, but also allows for various modifications to your playstyle and strategy. Visually, the game may seem simple but the character designs and enjoyable atmosphere make it a very cool game to look at. While there are some issues with combat, selecting characters, and small bugs with the camera, it does not take away from the experience. Overall, Fae Tactics is a solid game, delivering players a fun, thoughtful adventure with enough unique combat and visuals to justify spending time with it.

It seeks to shake up the familiar co-op sports game with simplistic controls and unstoppable energy and creates an ultra-competitive gameplay that’s easy to play or watch. And while the game shines at 2v2, it falls victim to its own frenzy with any additional players.

To say that Yakuza Kiwami is a great Nintendo Switch game is an understatement. It’s a fantastic port of an existing remaster that serves as one of the best entry points in the Yakuza series. It might have less to “do,” but that’s more of a reason for SEGA to port the rest of the Yakuza games for Nintendo players in the future. Hopefully (and I sincerely mean this), Ryu Ga Gotoku brings more of its library to Switch owners…preferably at the same quality as Yakuza Kiwami.

On the PlayStation 5, Tales of Berseria feels less like a traditional remaster and more like a simple port. While it remains an excellent game in its own right (and perhaps one of the best in the Tales series), the struggle is real in recommending it to those who can simply play the PS4 version and not feel like they’re missing out on anything novel.

Naruto fans should take notice, but others can safely pass this one up.

The Knife of Dunwall grabs hold of one of Dishonored’s more provocative threads and handles it with impressive respect and grace. In a perfect world this would lead countless one-off stories indulging in Dishonored’s intricate universe, but as a single piece of content its best viewed as a glimpse of its lingering potential. The Knife of Dunwall keeps Dishonored’s spirit right place, it’s just not finished yet.

Back 4 Blood is the ultimate cooperative experience, without a doubt. It may unwisely punish solo players and lack deeper launch content to attract and immerse casual players, potentially impacting the game’s community and longevity. But its core mode of pitting four players against an unyielding mob of monstrous death brings a constantly evolving, sometimes overwhelming challenge. If it weren’t for the extensively unique and clever card system and the overly satisfying gunplay, Back 4 Blood would stumble and shamble out of the gate. Yet its core mechanics provide such a fulfilling reward, that I can’t imagine not wanting to dive back in day after day and fend off the Ridden.

Shank 2 isn't so much a sequel as it is a replacement for its slower, sloppier predecessor, and that seems to suit its style just fine.

ARMS offers a very colorful and well animated fighting adventure with more strategy and depth then it might first appear. The initial offering feels just a little bit thin though in that despite the customization options in-game, you cannot customize or remap the controls and the single player modes are kind of thin — challenging, but not particularly captivating or appealing especially when the going gets tough. Online play is, like any other game, largely based on what you make of it and how the community does. Technically, my limited experience with it worked well, but time will tell if this game will have the legs to continue into something larger and sustained. For a new IP though, Nintendo has done another impressive job overall, but I would not consider this a must-have title for all Switch owners.

NHL 17 is a game that overwhelms you with variety of play as well as feedback aimed at making you a better, happier player. Outside of a collection of new game modes including Draft Champions, Franchise Mode and the World Cup of Hockey, everything here is largely the same. The game still looks great. Still feels great. And most importantly, it still plays great. Little refinements throughout yield small but noticeable improvements on the experience.

Overall, Deliver Us the Moon is quite good in its narrative design and atmosphere. The only real crux with this game is that it just needed some finer tuning when it came to difficulty and glitches. In the end, it’s still a good game to take a chance on, if not just for what it makes you feel along the journey it proposes.

Unravel Two is just a pleasure to play. There is enough personality, charm, challenge, and life in this game to deem it a far better improvement over the original. The two-player complexity was a tough sell, but well worth the buy once you get into it.

Kirby's Return to Dreamland is the game die-hard fans have been waiting for for years. Though recent bouts have found the series moving in more of an experimental direction, the traditional Kirby game is what gamers will always want the series to revert back to.

I find this game to be very charming and relaxing to play, and that’s for several reasons. The pace, challenge, controls, general gameplay, the graphics, and the music all make for a really enjoyable game that’s hard to put down.

The Pathless is a wonderful balance between puzzles and boss battles contained in a giant landscape. The gameplay design, specifically the boss level design, demonstrates the possibilities this new generation of consoles might offer.

Blood is (perhaps obviously) high on my all-time list. It was such a pleasant surprise when I heard that Nightdive was working on a re-release, and I’m glad they have. Priced at $10 or less ($5 at the time of this writing), there’s no reason not to add this classic to your collection.

A Fold Apart brings you into a personal and deep story. It’s a story that invites you into a deep and meaningful relationship between two characters. It’s a game that’s real, and that’s why I love it.

Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is a game that is sure to make faithful fans of the series happy and bring in new fans too. It’s a unique 2D platforming puzzle adventure that the community needed a good reminder that it exists. Although the controls can get a little out of hand even after playing for a while, the story and gameplay give the game a unique charm that I haven’t seen in most platforming games for a long time. Abe and the Mudokons are some wacky characters that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon and hope to see more remakes and new installments from Oddworld Inhabitants soon! But for now, Oddworld: Abe’s Odysee really is New ‘n’ Tasty!

Have a Nice Death should satisfy any player looking for a roguelike that excels at being more than merely competent. Bolstered by an incredible art style, accessible combat with a taste for encouraging lengthier and harder playthroughs sets Have a Nice Death firmly amongst the heaviest of competition.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate, like many beat ’em ups, is not rife with complexity or plot. But it possesses an undeniable spirit in its chaotic joy, begging to be played by a group of friends wanting to churn through groups of enemies and watch the screen shake with fury. It’s an homage not entirely to the past but to the simple thrill of fun.

All that to say that this surprise re-release of Virtua Fighter 5 is a welcome one, especially for PS+ members who get it for free. The series still has a special place amongst all of the other fighting franchises out there, so hopefully enough interest is generated with this re-release to warrant a full blown sequel in the future. In the meantime, AM2 and Ryu ga Gotoku Studios have done a fine job with Ultimate Showdown, such that any fan of the series or fighting games in general should check it out.

At the close of 2010 you'd think zombies and twin stick shooters were well past their expiration dates, but Housemarque had other plans. Through Dead Nation they have delivered an experience that's ripe with tension and never content to let the player settle down.

Riders Republic is a truly massive extreme sports game that borrows from Ubisoft's better open world pillars. A variety of events and the ability to play against massive servers in a gorgeous sandbox provide a unique thrill that few games manage.

All in all, Lego City Undercover is a good deal of fun that players from all ages will be able to enjoy. While the game is nothing challenging or revolutionary, it is nice to see a game as kid-friendly as Lego take tribute from a series that meant for adults. The overworld is large enough to where players will always have something new to discover while going after the criminals led by Red Fury. Undercover might be too easy of a challenge but that doesn’t take away from the overall wonderful experience players will have going through this delightful world.

Moon's commentary on the nature of its hero, expressed not only through its narrative but also its entire suite of mechanics, is its toolbox for deconstructing the template of the JRPG. Learning it's a long-lost game from 1997, operating with the inescapable sentimentality and eccentricity of the modern indie scene, underscores how long it took the rest of the world to reach places Moon had already been. Even with its anachronisms, Moon is a surprising novelty.

Skyrim VR leverages reputation and novelty against repetition and cynicism. Retrofitting a six-year-old game inside of imperfect hardware would be imprudent if it weren't one of the most expansive, popular, and beloved products in its medium. Skyrim VR happens to fit this extremely unique set of qualifications.

Overall, The Sims 4: Get Famous is a fantastic expansion pack that brings a defined goal to Sims 4 gameplay. Working your way to the top through various gigs until you’re a superstar is a beautiful rush. The amount of thought and steps you have to put into the process makes this expansion complicated, yet fun. It certainly still has that Sims 4 groundwork to the process, but the feeling of accomplishment, or failure, is a bit more defined in Get Famous.

In sum, Samurai Shodown is back and the release for the Xbox Series X does very well for itself. Though a little scant on content compared to some others in the genre, this is still a great game for fans of the franchise or the genre.

Road 96 is a unique experience that truly makes every branching narrative choice a literal gamechanger. It brings the drama, the humor, and the heart to the gameplay table. What it lacks in gameplay variety, it makes up with a replayable story. DigiXart did a superb job with this release.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a delight of a remake, retaining the core story that you and I love alongside a new combat system that makes battles more fluid and frenetic than ever before. Dark Ties is an excellent side story, albeit one far darker in contrast to Yakuza’s tried-and-true storytelling thematics.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate takes a lot of big swings for a franchise that has been incarnated into almost every possible genre in games. Super Evil Megacorp mostly succeeds with a formula that narratively borrows from Hades but excels at providing some satisfying gameplay and upgrade paths. It may be short on content but does promise a lot of entertainment for a group of friends wanting to tackle the Foot Clan as their favorite heroes in a half-shell.

DOOM II is legendary, plain and simple. It's required gaming for any action/FPS gamer, and this XBLA release is extra special in that it has a new nine level episodes created by Nerve Software. Highly recommended.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare succeeds in most aspects of a solid sci-fi shooter. However, a lackluster and rushed story takes away from what could have been a full and complete campaign mode. Luckily where the story lacks, the gameplay and solid mechanics Call of Duty deliver.

Some nagging problems with Soul Sacrifice keep my excitement tempered, but Vita owners would be remiss if they didn't try it out.

Indeed, Strangeland is on the smaller side in terms of length, but also in scale as far as the number of areas, puzzles, and NPCs. Furthermore, it’s just a little bit on the easy side (even without using the payphone), too. I also found some of the ideas in the game just a little underdeveloped, which actually manifested as my own curiosity to know more about Strangeland — certain NPCs, or rooms, for example — but the content just wasn’t there. All that said, though — keep in mind — this is only a $15 game, and at that price, it’s an excellent value.

Metal Slug Tactics is refreshing, leaning into its roots as a charming 90s arcade title while reinventing itself as a tactical RPG. You needn’t be a Metal Slug fan to enjoy the amount of depth here – it’s a treat of highly engaging gameplay and a must-listen of a soundtrack. I want more from Leikir Studio and sincerely hope they make the UI more user-friendly to ease the learning process.

At a $20 price point (or $10 for early access), XCOM: Chimera Squad is a mostly successful experiment. Firaxis Games has cherry-picked many of the best elements of the XCOM series and put them in a more fast-paced, action-oriented title. Tactical superiority still reigns supreme, especially with the intelligently designed breach mode. However, I think some players will miss the more hardcore elements of XCOM despite their exclusion not necessarily fitting the pace of this title. In no way does Chimera Squad feel like a budget title, outside of its somewhat clumsy menus and presentation. But this graphic novel-style, pulpy tactical adventure seems to be the tipping off point for something equally exciting and grander in the future.

By effectively clinging on to the Halloween aesthetic from beginning to end, Costume Quest evokes the often forgotten nostalgia of childhood. It manages to create a fantastical world without resorting to high fantasy. As something that both kids and adults can relate to, Costume Quest is a heartfelt reminder that with the right viewpoint, everything can be awesome.

World of Horror from developer panstasz is a wonderful 80s-inspired horror adventure game that brings a roguelite backbone, a turn-based component with a sprinkle of RPG, and plenty of horror that might make you wonder what the heck inspired the devs to create such unsettling tales. The only place the game falls short is in its overwhelming menu system, which is far simpler than it looks once you go through the tutorial.

MLB 11: The Show is what you might call a predictable update from last year's offering on the PSP. The same, solid core experience is there with only very minor changes and additions.

Cool concept and well executed, Lost Orbit is worth your attention.

Observer is a rather well done indie title with tons of style and appeal. Think Blade Runner‘s dystopian motif with Orwellian sensibilities and shades of Snatcher. Sign me up!

Hats off to 4A Games on a job well done.

Planned DLC releases with new weapons, similar to Sniper Elite III, are on the horizon, which makes Sniper Elite 4 one possibly best waiting a bit on to purchase. During that time, we’re sure to see patches and extra polish like practically any other game released in the last several years, and an Ultimate Edition seems quite likely. But whether you dive in now or later, expect another solid entry into Rebellion’s long-running, compelling and often thrilling series.

This is the best version of the series since NCAA 06. And even though I think annual releases of sports games are, well, useless with the possibility of just downloading roster updates, this is well worth $60 and can't be missed by NCAA fans.

MotoGP 2021 is an impressive game that features the right balance of complication and a lukewarm welcome to new players trying to get into it for the first time. It’s a polished experience that sets the bar for the motorcycle racing scene.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered is both a time capsule and welcome update to a pair of beloved games that have been shelved for far too long. The longer times goes on, the harder it becomes to preserve titles. Aspyr not only presents the Soul Reaver games relatively untouched but provides worthy updates to ensure the legacy is continued and appreciated. Hopefully, this is the first step towards Legacy of Kain rising from its deep slumber and back into the light.

Overall, people just consider these games a roster update and that’s it. There’s so much more here than meets the eye. With the new Eliminator feature for Ones and NHL Threes, plus the character customization of your own CHEL character NHL 20 is a great game. Some of the graphical changes are hard to get used to at first though and while I like there a new approach to the broadcast in-game, I can tell that it’s going to go through some growing pains. That’s fine though as I feel that it’s a step in a good direction. If you’re a newcomer or someone who has been engulfed into the franchise for a while you’re going to enjoy it.

You will find some joy in the action and some sort of satisfaction in killing tons of enemies, but if you’re looking for something with any rich substance to it at all, Strider may not be enough of a good experience for you.

Cronos: The New Dawn, from developer Bloober Team, is representative and respectful of the traditional survival horror genre. It brings gameplay elements that any gamer should expect from a survival horror experience, while testing out minor methods to improve an old formula. At the end of the day, the game is beautifully unsettling, gorgeous to take in, and does enough to make it worth your time. Is it reinventing the genre? Not really, but it’s still quite fun.

Duck Paradox is a unique gem, featuring an adorable charm and highly replayable loop that feels like an old-school platformer more than a modern roguelike. Steep bullet hell difficulty aside, it deserves more content to keep players saving the day with an ever-growing waddling of ducks alongside of Dr. Paraducks!

Metal Suits: Counter Attack from developer Eggtart is a clever and fun 2D platformer packed with good action, clever weapons, and wonderful boss and level design. While the common enemies in the game aren’t anything to write home about, the overall body of work is very well done.

Palia and its Elderwood Expansion from developer Singularity Six is a budding MMO with all sorts of green flags waving toward a long future. While the main quests may not catch your attention too hard, the customization, exploration, and new free Elderwood expansion will be enough to motivate you to give this a shot. It still has some growing pains, but right now, Palia is a solid game.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is a trip of childhood nostalgia for kids who grew up wanting to slam on the gas and experience speed, but are five years old and can’t reach the pedals. If you’re looking to try and live out that experience then this will do you well, but if you’re someone who played the first and is looking to see what’s up with the newest edition, you might fall flat at the starting line.

If you can get the Kinect, and your body, perfectly placed then The Gunstringer is a hoot of a game. While it is short, there is still plenty to gain from it (unlockables, trophies and a co-op mode) including a very fun and strange story. If you own a Kinect you might want to give this a go.

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a solid pick for anyone that has yet to try Capcom's open world RPG.

Sleeping Dogs is great, and if you haven't already bought the content previously, it's an excellent deal. However, the Definitive Edition manages to leave a lot of relatively harmless, yet annoying, bugs in place which is a letdown.

Overall, I think the longevity of the gameplay might be a bit grind-y for a mainstream audience. If you can accept that grind, then you have a good story waiting for you with a beautifully woven tapestry led by leveling and a competent upgrade system, which helps keep the gamer motivated to continue. Is it a perfect game? No, but it’s a damn good one, especially with friends.

A relatively modest upgrade from last year's release that doesn't detract from the series, but doesn't really make itself a must-have, either.

Hitman’s improved world, which includes smarter NPCs and versatile ways to complete goals, has brought the series onto a higher level of entertainment. Definitely worth a go.

Headlander doesn't spend all of its time building a monument to Super Metroid, opting instead for a dangerous medley of absurdity that's nevertheless stable and, once you really start to look at it, kind of marvelous in its ability to stand upright and qualify as evidence of meaningful dissent.

While far from perfect, ZombiU is nevertheless an compelling launch title that no owner of the Wii U shouldn't at least rent.

Graphically, Shardlight features some really pretty pixel art. Not every scene is worth writing home about, but the vast majority are. Tiberius’ appearance and voice-acting set an appropriate chilling tone for example, while the wide color palette from the radioactive greens of the shards to the browns and darker tones of a dystopian world push for a great atmosphere. Combined with a script and voice-acting that ranges from good to excellent, and a soundtrack that compliments the mood perfectly, and you got yourself a great game.

As a third person monster hunter with JRPG elements, Toukiden 2 gets a lot right. It has some important limitations that you should consider before diving in, but if you enjoy the franchise or the monster-hunter genre, keeps this one in mind.

Long review short, Steep: Road to the Olympics is worth the money and provides you with some solid expansion to an already entertaining title.

Solar Ash excels when it captures that dream-like feeling of gliding across cosmic, surreal spaces. There are moments when the speed of Rei’s skates across the back of a terrifying monster will exhilarate, reminding players why they love games. But as a platformer, Solar Ash can be tedious, repetitive, and a bit clumsy. While these issues may clash with the lovingly crafted world and gravity-defying puzzles, they never truly harm what is ultimately a uniquely engaging game.

Hue presents an accessible, familiar, yet unique-enough experience that is absolutely worth checking out if you're a fan of this genre. I would even suggest that if you got burned out by similar games that got too hard too fast to give Hue a chance.

Though Immortals Fenyx Rising may borrow familiar elements from other series, this new IP from Ubisoft establishes a unique identity through the lens of Greek mythology by using humor, intelligent puzzles, powerful combat, and clever world building.

An accessible, rewarding, deep, and fun JRPG that has a lot to offer to veteran Tales fans and newcomers alike.

Furi becomes essential by identifying and removing what it declares expendable.

SaGa Frontier Remastered has great upgrades that positively add to the original gameplay experience, especially if you loved this title back in the late 90s. If you have never played this, it might seem like an overwhelmingly difficult game with a mess of great ideas that had not been completely sorted out. It was certainly ahead of its time and groundbreaking in some areas of gameplay.

The Komplete Edition is a compelling release, especially for those who held off on purchasing Mortal Kombat to this point.

The art style is pixelated and feels very Dragon Force mid-90s, which I adore. The action sequences are over-the-top in the best of ways, and the music…good GOD…the music is an electronic, bass-driven masterpiece. Related to the music, I’m not sure I enjoyed a set of sound effects before as much as I did with this game. I know, I know, that is a ridiculous statement, but they’re well done and add to the atmosphere of the game. Anyway, the presentation is a treat during the fights and the maps are equally well done with a forced depth of field to make the scenery very pleasant and visually active. Star Renegades is an impressive game that is easy to start and will keep you playing with its strategic depth.

Taito Milestones 3 from ININ Games represents Taito arcade classics well. While it’s nothing more than a collection of Arcade Archives games, it still is nice to have more bang for your buck all in one place. I wish there was more history added to each game, just giving them more context and beef, but the price doesn’t warrant that type of Atari 50 effort. It’s still a solid collection.

In sum, Sniper Elite 5 is another evolution in the right direction of this long-running series. If you enjoyed any of the previous entries, this one should be right up your ally and I would lean towards calling it the best yet. The additions of more traversal mechanics, the workbenches, and Invasion mode, along with even bigger maps (that are also the best looking/designed yet) make this an all-around compelling game. However, some age-old issues still rear their head at times, including some jankiness with AI, bugs, and invisible walls. Some of these are likely to be patched out, and frequent auto-saves also help work-around these issues.

Gnog distills the joy of fiddling with switches, dials, and knobs into a potent liquid and then uses that fluorescent elixir to invigorate a monster’s brain. The result is a collection of orderly puzzles eager to illustrate logic while soaked in giddying medley of spaceships, electricity, and mother birds. If you were ever allowed to peer inside of a candy monster’s skull, Gnog is precisely what you would find.